Chapter 610: Sword Emerges from the Red Dust

The Wang Fu's defensive line was completely breached.

The appearance of Erlang Zhenjun and the meteor-like fire rain from Wen Lingguan caused the soldiers of the Chengdu Garrison to lose their will to fight entirely.

Some had participated in this affair by drifting with the tide, while others did so to support the Prince of Shu, hoping to enjoy wealth and glory after success.

However, rumors of the Prince of Shu being possessed by an evil entity and the eerie scenes in Chengdu Prefecture had already caused them to harbor doubts.

The appearance of the legendary immortal deity was the final straw.

Some dropped their weapons and turned to flee.

Others followed the Chongqing Garrison to attack the Prince of Shu's palace…

Those accompanying experts leaped over the city walls, each unleashing their ultimate techniques.

"Earth-Listening String" Yue Saner jumped off the city wall and pulled at his huqin; the shrill, mournful string music immediately caused the Qi and blood of the Black Feather Guards to churn…

Liang Yu waved her hand, and green powder emitted the fragrance of tea. Granny Jin seized the opportunity to chant a spell, and wherever she passed, the eyes of those Black Feather Guards became unfocused, and the firelocks in their hands dropped one after another…

Lu San manipulated the demon gourd, and dense swarms of poisonous bees buzzed…

Fan Tieguai's iron crutch swept across the accumulated snow with a loud bang, sending the shield-bearers who were attempting to close the gap flying three zhang, men and shields alike…

In a short time, the Black Feather Guards were suppressed.

"Hold the line, hold the line!"

The Black Feather Guard leader, with his cold facial features, shouted loudly, galloping on his horse to gather the remaining forces within the palace to come and support.

There were Black Feather Guards, as well as eunuchs with decent martial arts skills.

Lu Sheng had always been good at buying people's hearts; lurking in the Prince of Shu's mansion, combined with his later possession, he had gathered a large group of loyal followers.

There were definitely not a few who were willing to die for him.

However, the general trend was ultimately lost.

Boom!

On the city wall, Wu Ba's Tiger-Respect Cannon roared amidst the smoke.

The tongue of fire spewed from the muzzle tore through the thick fog, and blue bricks and broken tiles mixed with flying snow soared into the sky, directly scattering the last of the reinforcements.

"Kill!"

Zhao Xianda roared, wielding his blade, and led his men to break through the city gate.

At this point, only sporadic resistance remained within the palace.

But no one felt that this matter had already concluded.

In the center of the Cheng Yun Hall square, white mist formed a cyclone, and a gale howled; the scene was very eerie.

Even more terrifying was that the ground was still rumbling and shaking, as if some terrifying giant beast was attempting to drill out from underground.

Bricks and tiles fell, and a massive crack appeared on the wall of the Cheng Yun Hall…

And as the power of the Nine Cauldrons continued to leak out, the white cyclone grew larger and larger, making it impossible to see the situation inside at all.

"Everyone, is there any way?!"

Zhao Xianda's face was full of anxiety as he asked those around him.

The white cyclone in the center was not water mist, but the circulation of true Gang-Sha Qi.

Ordinary people found it difficult to approach; some soldiers attempted to try, but without protective spells, they were directly knocked unconscious by the Gang Qi.

The Six Hermits of the Bamboo Forest also tried to pinch incantations, using protective spells to enter.

But as soon as they approached the cyclone, their expressions changed drastically, and they stumbled backward, their faces pale, nearly falling over.

"It won't work, the Gang Qi inside is impacting, and spells are difficult to use!"

"Don't act recklessly."

Cheng Jianxin, supported by Chang Tianque, looked at the cyclone with a solemn face and said in a hoarse voice: "The Nine Cauldrons circulate beneath the dragon vein, absorbing massive amounts of dragon vein earth Qi. Only those with profound Daoist cultivation and a resilient spirit can enter, but even then, it is difficult to use spells; one can only use martial arts."

"I'll go!"

As soon as the words fell, Wu Ba dropped his Tiger-Respect Cannon and charged directly into the white mist cyclone.

He was indeed fierce, stubbornly taking a few steps while carrying the impact, but in the blink of an eye, he became dizzy, and was blown by the Gang wind until he couldn't open his eyes.

His martial arts skills could not be unleashed at all.

Clang!

Just at this moment, a murderous intent suddenly appeared.

A blood-colored curved blade pierced through the white mist, hacking toward Wu Ba's neck from the left with lightning speed; Wu Ba only had time to raise his hand to block.

Clang!

The Dust-Severing Blade followed closely, blocking the blood-colored curved blade.

The dizzy Wu Ba was also kicked out of the cyclone by Li Yan, rolling on the ground with a face full of annoyance, hammering the ground fiercely.

He knew that not only had he not helped Li Yan, but he had also distracted him, nearly ruining the matter.

Things were just as he thought.

The Blood Nu Master Ba Daiza's goal was not to kill him, but to lure Li Yan away from the center of the cyclone, so as not to interfere with Lu Sheng's actions.

The people outside were experienced and also guessed the reason.

Sha Lifei raised his Divine Fire Gun, wanting to aim, but the white mist rolled, and his divine sense could not probe it, making it impossible to see clearly.

And the Six Hermits of the Bamboo Forest were elderly, their Qi and blood insufficient, unable to withstand the impact of the Sha Qi, and likewise unable to help much.

Lu San wanted to try, but was stopped by Wang Daoxuan, who shook his head and said: "Only those with a fourth-floor Daoist cultivation who have cultivated an Yin Spirit have a chance; don't add trouble for Brother Li Yan."

Sha Lifei gritted his teeth and said: "How about we use firearms to blow up the Nine Cauldrons."

He didn't care about any divine artifacts; he wanted to protect his own people first.

"Don't!"

"Earth-Listening String" Yue Saner shook his head hurriedly, "The Nine Cauldrons are connected to the earth veins; if the gunpowder explodes, not only will it be useless, but the earthquake will also spread!"

"Damn it, then how should we handle this?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Lifei felt his head grow large.

He had seen Yue Saner's abilities and knew that what he said was not false.

"Master…"

Just as they were speaking, an anxious voice came from the side.

Everyone turned their heads to look, only to see Chang Tianque's face full of anxiety, wanting to stop Cheng Jianxin, but this elderly old sword immortal had a calm expression and pushed away his disciple's hand.

Looking at the gazes of the crowd, Cheng Jianxin didn't say any nonsense, just smiled and patted Chang Tianque's shoulder, "You haven't always wanted to know how my swordsmanship is? Watch carefully!"

After speaking, he took a sword from Chang Tianque's hand.

This sword looked very ordinary, its surface even covered in rust, no different from a discarded sword.

After Chang Tianque became Cheng Jianxin's disciple, he had always held this sword, and whether practicing swordsmanship or dueling, it was always this broken sword.

He had once despised it and wanted to change to a good sword, but Cheng Jianxin had firmly refused, saying something about how a "dog-leftover" should use a broken sword.

The thing that shocked Chang Tianque happened.

Hum!

This broken sword, landing in Cheng Jianxin's hand, emitted a sword-ringing sound, and the rust and dust on it fell off with a rustle, as if it were cheering and leaping.

Cheng Jianxin laughed dumbly, drew the sword, and walked toward the white cyclone in the center of the square.

His footsteps were a bit staggering at first, but after walking a few steps, they became increasingly steady, and his posture became more and more upright.

Clang!

The rusted sword in his hand rang like a dragon, and the rust and dust on its surface fell off completely, revealing a cold glint, with two words engraved on the blade:

Red Dust!

Looking at his back, everyone around inexplicably felt a sensation, their glabella stinging as if they were facing a sharp blade.

Swish!

Everyone's eyes stung, and in just the blink of an eye, that tall figure in front had already disappeared.

On the central white mist cyclone, a massive gap appeared, as if it had been directly broken open by a sharp blade.

Sha Lifei wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Good fellow, this old sword immortal… was he faking illness?"

Wang Daoxuan shook his head slightly without speaking.

Chang Tianque beside him was even more tear-stained.

Sha Lifei didn't understand, but many people knew in their hearts that this Cheng Jianxian Cheng was overdrawing all of his own strength.

He was already at the end of his rope.

After this battle, there would be no chance of survival at all.

Clang!

In the thick fog, the blade and the blood-edge sparked.

Li Yan exerted force under his feet, completely disregarding his exposed vitals, and the blade edge slid along the blood-edge, stabbing directly at Ba Daiza's throat.

However, Ba Daiza quickly withdrew his blade to dodge.

Li Yan saw this and felt his teeth itch with anger.

Just as Wang Daoxuan said, this cyclone was a fluctuation triggered by the Nine Cauldrons, pure Gang-Sha Qi; any spell would be dispersed, and even divine abilities were difficult to unleash.

To withstand the impact of the Sha Qi, one's cultivation had to be at least the fourth floor, and one could only use martial arts to fight.

This turn of events put him in a passive position.

The Blood Nu Master Ba Daiza was an old demon who had been famous in the Southwest evil path for a long time; Li Yan had been able to suppress him before, all because he had the divine ability Soul-Hooking Rope, combined with "Divine Transformation Method" to temporarily boost his strength.

And now, both sides could only rely on martial arts.

Ba Daiza was also at the peak of Hua Jin; although he couldn't compare to his youth, his experience was very rich, and his blade technique was even more seasoned.

Even more troublesome was that this guy was extremely cunning.

He never fought Li Yan head-on, only harassing from the side, retreating upon contact, preventing Li Yan from wanting to approach the Nine Cauldrons.

Li Yan wanted to borrow the power of the Great Luo Dharma Body to trade injury for injury, lure the opponent to strike, and then kill this old ghost.

Unfortunately, the opponent didn't fall for it at all.

Thinking of this, Li Yan couldn't help but feel anxious, turning his head to look in the direction of the Nine Cauldrons.

He had previously seen Lu Sheng and Li Wenyuan approaching the Nine Cauldrons.

Although these two were unfathomable, under the power of the Nine Cauldrons, they were similarly affected and unable to use spells.

However, the animal skin in their hands was not simple.

That animal skin was a thumb thick, one side covered in brown hair, the other side glowing with a pitch-black luster, engraved with a landscape map, vaguely visible as the appearance of the ancient Nine Provinces.

These two knew the power of the Nine Cauldrons and had been prepared for a long time.

Whether it was the previous Zhao Jie or the Faceless Young Master, using their physical bodies to touch the Nine Cauldrons would only result in their bodies collapsing and their spirits scattering.

At this moment, the two had already been shrouded in white mist, and only the golden light emitted by the Nine Cauldrons could be vaguely seen, flickering and unstable.

Li Yan had a guess in his heart.

The Faceless Young Master's cultivation was insufficient and he hadn't completely taken out the Nine Cauldrons before he was reduced to ashes, making the Nine Cauldrons still difficult to distinguish between real and fake.

But time was also running out.

Once the Nine Cauldrons completely left the Dragon Palace, the disaster would descend.

"Hahaha, looking at the cauldron is not as good as looking at the blade!"

Seeing Li Yan distracted, Ba Daiza let out a wild laugh and attacked again.

The blood-colored curved blade in his hand slashed diagonally; as Li Yan swung his blade to block, he suddenly let go and simultaneously turned his wrist.

Hum hum hum!

The blood-colored curved blade spun, bypassing the Dust-Severing Blade, and happened to slash toward Li Yan's fingers.

Li Yan raised his blade to block, and the opponent took advantage of the momentum to catch the blood-colored curved blade, lowered his body, spun, bypassed Li Yan, and backhanded a slash toward his knees.

These few moves were both fast and eerie.

Li Yan had once heard that the Tujia people had a powerful technique called Throwing Blade Technique, which was a performance in Nu Opera.

He didn't expect this old ghost to be able to integrate it into his own.

The blade flew with the hand, making it impossible to defend against.

Li Yan's heart stirred; he pretended to dodge and retreated again, and as Ba Daiza pressed forward, his left hand suddenly wiped.

In an instant, the blade light exploded.

The opponent had the Throwing Blade Technique, and he, Li Yan, also had the Sleeve Blade.

Chih!

This blade was very hidden; even though Ba Daiza dodged quickly, he was still slashed, and blood quickly seeped from the clothes on his ribs.

"Kid, you're dead!"

Ba Daiza's expression was sinister, but he didn't rush forward.

He was cunning and knew that the critical moment had arrived; once Lu Sheng obtained the Nine Cauldrons, the path ahead could be continued, so he must not be careless.

Li Yan's many methods truly made him wary.

But just at this moment, his back suddenly tightened.

He could feel that he was locked onto by a gaze, as if an invisible sharp blade was pressing against the back of his head, slowly piercing in.

For a time, his spirit actually felt a stinging pain.

This was pure sword intent!

He had only seen one person in his life who could injure people with sword intent.

"Impossible!"

Ba Daiza hurriedly turned around, his eyes full of disbelief.

But he saw a figure holding a sword coming through the thick fog.

White hair and beard fluttering, eyes sharp and flickering like sword blades.

Cheng Jianxin… Impossible!

Ba Daiza's brain went blank, and fear floated into his heart.

He had practiced evil arts many years ago, destroying several Tujia villages in succession, and even killed several disciples of the Mystic Sect, making him infamous in the martial world.

But just when he was proud, Cheng Jianxin came down the mountain, chasing him until he fled in a sorry state, even jumping into a manure pit to cover his scent; because Cheng Jianxin had other important matters, he was able to escape, changing his name and joining the Prince of Shu's command.

This was the greatest shame and fear of his life.

That was why he had previously spared no effort to hunt down the elderly Cheng Jianxin.

He had thought it was just an old man on the verge of death.

And now, fear surged into his heart again.

Pfft!

Just at this moment, Ba Daiza felt a pain in his chest; looking down, he saw a horizontal blade had already pierced through his chest, penetrating his heart.

It was Li Yan who had found the opportunity, using a blade technique similar to military assassination, shrinking the ground to an inch, killing the enemy in one strike.

"You…"

Before Ba Daiza could speak, Li Yan took advantage of the momentum to withdraw the blade and backhandedly chopped off his head.

And Cheng Jianxin also walked over with long strides at this time.

Li Yan's eyes were complex; he had finally witnessed the demeanor of a sword immortal, but he knew clearly that this old senior was burning his own remaining glow.

But at this time, there was no time for nonsense.

"Senior, help me!"

Li Yan just raised his blade and cupped his fists, then turned and rushed toward the center of the cyclone.

The golden light before his eyes gradually became intense; through the thick fog, it seemed to dye everything around it golden, appearing dreamlike.

But Li Yan couldn't care about appreciating the beautiful scenery.

This Nine Cauldrons divine artifact had already become an existence beyond understanding.

The closer he got, the more uncomfortable Li Yan felt.

It was as if a thick, heavy mountain was squeezing his spirit from all directions; his footsteps began to slow, and even his breathing became obstructed.

This was the true reaction of an ordinary person.

Like the Faceless Young Master, cursed without knowing it, his greed blinding his mind, unable to perceive the pain at all, his body would collapse.

At a distance of ten steps, Li Yan stopped his footsteps.

By this point, he could no longer move forward, and he finally saw the appearance of the Nine Cauldrons clearly.

This object had too many legends; looking at historical records, it was forged by concentrating the spiritual materials of the Nine Provinces, not just a simple bronze heavy vessel.

Now it was even more brilliant with golden light, making it impossible to distinguish the material.

Engraved on the cauldron body were the sun, moon, stars, flowers, birds, fish, and insects, as well as a map of the Nine Provinces, with the area around Ezhou particularly prominent, and the nine-headed bird in the relief seemed to be about to flap its wings and fly out.

It was the Jingzhou Cauldron!

Li Yan immediately understood in his heart.

Ancient Jingzhou covered the current Ezhou, Xiangzhou, and the southern part of Yuzhou; the nine-headed phoenix vein was naturally its major Feng Shui vein.

In the past, the Duke of Zhou secretly suppressed the phoenix vein, making heroes emerge in the Chu region, but it was always missing that final step, and the residual poison remained to this day.

This kind of trouble was not in just one place.

In the past, the First Emperor threw the Nine Cauldrons into the earth veins, circulating them through the three major dragon veins of the Shenzhou, just to solve these troubles.

To this day, the Nine Cauldrons had become the divine artifact of the Shenzhou.

Li Yan couldn't care about thinking too much and looked opposite the Nine Cauldrons.

He saw that Lu Sheng and Li Wenyuan were also sinister-faced, approaching the Nine Cauldrons, their footsteps staggering.

Clearly, the power of the Nine Cauldrons also exceeded their estimates.

But the two were less than ten meters away from the Nine Cauldrons, and the strange animal skin in their hands might be the treasure that concealed the divine power of the Nine Cauldrons.

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Yan immediately gripped the Hooking Token.

He had never feared confronting these two.

One was a Yin criminal,

One was a fugitive from the Heavenly Court.

He only needed to summon the Yin soldiers or the Thunder Department…

(End of chapter)